Replacement · independent publisher, not a contractor
AC repair vs replacement
Compare the repair quote with the replacement quote on what each buys: a repair keeps the system's age, efficiency and refrigerant, while a replacement resets them and brings a permit, tests and new warranties. A small part on a sound system is worth repairing; a compressor on an old R-22 system usually is not.
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- Two quotes, one decision
- Key takeaways
- The rules of thumb, and why we do not lean on them
- What to put side by side
- Which failures usually point which way
- When repair is the better call
- When replacement is the better call
- A worked example
- Questions to ask the technician
- Check the warranty before you pay for anything
- Refrigerant leaks: repair or replace?
- Getting a second opinion
- What a replacement can add on top
- A one-page decision checklist
- Do not forget the heat pump option
Two quotes, one decision
The technician has found the problem and handed you a repair price. Somewhere in the conversation, the word "replace" came up. This page is for that moment.
The trick is to stop comparing a repair price with a replacement price, and start comparing what each one leaves you with next summer.
A repair buys
- The same system, one fault fixed.
- The same efficiency and refrigerant.
- A warranty on that part, if any.
- No permit, usually.
A replacement buys
- A matched new system at today's minimums.
- Current refrigerant.
- New equipment and labor warranties.
- A permit, Title 24 tests and possibly a rebate.
Key takeaways
In short
- Compare what each option leaves you with, not just today's price.
- Wear parts on a sound system: repair.
- Compressor or coil on an old system, or an R-22 leak: usually replace.
- Check the warranty before paying for any repair.
The rules of thumb, and why we do not lean on them
You will see two shortcuts on contractor sites: replace if the repair costs more than half a new system, or multiply the system's age by the repair cost and replace if it passes $5,000. Neither comes from a standards body or a government source we could find.
Use them as a prompt, not a verdict
A rule of thumb ignores what failed, the refrigerant, the furnace's age and whether a rebate applies. The table below covers those.
What to put side by side
| Repair | Replace | |
|---|---|---|
| Price today | The repair quote | Published LA range $6,500–$25,000 for central AC, 2–5 tons |
| Refrigerant | Stays as is (R-22 if old) | Current refrigerant |
| Efficiency | Unchanged | At least 14.3 SEER2 plus an EER2 floor |
| Warranty | On the repaired part, if any | New equipment and labor warranties |
| Permit and tests | Usually none | Permit, duct and refrigerant tests |
| Rebate | None | Possible for a qualifying heat pump |
| Next failure | Any other worn part | Starts the clock again |
Which failures usually point which way
| What failed | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitor, contactor, fuse | Repair | Small, common wear parts |
| Condenser fan motor | Repair on a newer system | Mid-cost, contained |
| Thermostat, drain line, filter | Repair | Not the equipment itself |
| Refrigerant leak, newer system | Repair the leak | Find and fix, then recharge |
| Refrigerant leak, R-22 system | Replace | Recharges rely on reclaimed R-22 |
| Compressor, older system | Replace | A large share of a new unit's price |
| Evaporator coil, older system | Usually replace | Large repair, and the match to the outdoor unit matters |
General guidance, not a diagnosis. The technician's findings on your system come first.
When repair is the better call
- A small part such as a capacitor, contactor or fan motor on a newer system.
- The system is still under its equipment warranty.
- You plan bigger work soon, such as an addition or a panel upgrade, and want to replace once.
- It has been reliable and cools the house on hot days.
When replacement is the better call
- A compressor or coil failure on an older system.
- R-22 refrigerant with a significant leak.
- The system cannot hold temperature in a heat wave after a tune-up.
- The furnace is also failing, so a heat pump replaces both. See central AC vs heat pump.
- You are in LADWP, Burbank or Pasadena territory and a heat pump rebate is open.
A worked example
Say a 3-ton R-22 system needs a compressor. You have the repair quote in hand. On the replacement side, published LA ranges give a 3-ton central AC at $8,000–$16,000 on reusable ducts, and a 3-ton heat pump at $12,000–$15,000.
- Subtract any rebate you have confirmed is open. Do not subtract one you have not checked.
- Add likely adders the replacement brings: the permit ($250–$800) and possibly duct repair ($800–$4,500).
- Compare that net figure with the repair, and ask what else on the old system is near failure.
Illustrative arithmetic on published ranges, not a quote.
Questions to ask the technician
- Which part failed, and why?
- Is anything else close to failing?
- What refrigerant does the system use, and how much was lost?
- What warranty comes with the repair?
- If I replace, what size do you recommend, and how did you work it out?
- Would you quote a heat pump as well?
Record both quotes in the quote comparison tool.
Check the warranty before you pay for anything
Many systems carry an equipment warranty on parts for years after installation, often only if the unit was registered. Before approving a repair:
- Find the model and serial numbers on the data plate.
- Check the registration and warranty status with the maker.
- Ask whether the repair quote already accounts for warranty parts, with labor billed separately.
The difference between equipment and labor warranties is explained in AC installation warranties.
Refrigerant leaks: repair or replace?
| System | Leak found | Usual move |
|---|---|---|
| Newer, current refrigerant | At a fitting or valve | Repair, pressure-test, recharge |
| Newer, current refrigerant | In the coil | Coil under warranty? Then repair |
| Older, R-22 | Anywhere significant | Replace; recharges rely on reclaimed R-22 |
Recharging without fixing the leak
Topping up refrigerant without finding the leak is a short-term fix. Ask the technician where the leak is and whether it was repaired, in writing.
Getting a second opinion
For a large repair or a recommendation to replace, a second visit is reasonable. Ask the second contractor to diagnose independently before showing them the first quote, and check both are licensed on the CSLB license check. See how to check a contractor license.
What a replacement can add on top
A repair rarely brings any of these. When you compare the two quotes, add the adders that apply to your house to the replacement side, or the repair will look worse than it is.
A one-page decision checklist
- What failed, and is it a wear part or a major component?
- What refrigerant does the system use?
- Is the equipment still under warranty?
- Has it needed repairs in recent summers?
- Is the furnace also near its end?
- Is a heat pump rebate open for my utility?
- Have I got a replacement quote on the same scope to compare?
Do not forget the heat pump option
If you are replacing anyway and the furnace is old, the replacement quote should include a heat pump price. In LADWP, Burbank and Pasadena territory a qualifying heat pump can earn a per-ton rebate that a central AC does not, which changes the repair-or-replace sum.
Published LA ranges: 3-ton central AC $8,000–$16,000, 3-ton heat pump $12,000–$15,000 (one source). See central AC vs heat pump.
Sources
- 10 CFR 430.32(c), Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (retrieved 2026-09-29)
- California Energy Commission, "Building Energy Efficiency Resources for Single Family Homes" (retrieved 2026-09-29)
- LADWP, "Consumer Rebate Program" (retrieved 2026-10-20)
- US EPA, "Phaseout of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances" (HCFC-22 production and import ended 2020) (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Reliable Heating and Air (Woodland Hills), AC installation cost in LA and Ventura County (retrieved 2026-09-29)
- Cold Cloud (Glendale), central air cost in Los Angeles (retrieved 2026-09-29)
- E & A Mechanical (Tujunga), heat pump installation cost in Los Angeles (retrieved 2026-09-29)
Questions
Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old AC?
For a small part, often yes. For a compressor or coil, or an R-22 refrigerant leak, replacement is usually the better value. Ask what else on the system is near the end.
What is the 50 percent rule for AC replacement?
A contractor rule of thumb: replace if the repair costs more than half a new system. No standards body publishes it, and it ignores refrigerant, rebates and the furnace. Use it as a prompt only.
What is the $5,000 rule?
Another shortcut: multiply the system's age by the repair cost and replace if it exceeds $5,000. It has no official source. Compare what each option buys instead.
Should I replace an AC with a compressor failure?
On an older system, usually. A compressor is a large share of the price of a new unit, and the rest of the old system keeps aging. On a system under warranty, check the compressor warranty first.
Does a repair need a permit in Los Angeles?
Most repairs do not, but replacing or altering equipment does. The California Energy Commission says a permit is required when an HVAC unit is replaced or altered.
Can I get a rebate for repairing my AC?
No. The LADWP, Burbank and Pasadena programs rebate qualifying heat pumps at installation, not repairs of existing equipment.
How do I know if the repair quote is fair?
Ask for the failed part named, the labor and the warranty in writing. Getting a second opinion before a large repair is reasonable.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace in the long run?
It depends on what failed and what else is wearing out. A new system resets warranties and efficiency; a repair keeps the old system's risks. Compare both on the same items.
Should I replace my AC and furnace at the same time?
If both are old, often yes: one permit, one set of tests, matched equipment, and the chance to price a heat pump that replaces both.
Next step
Free quote request
Get a quote to check against these numbers
- Tell us about the job. Service, ZIP, property and timing. The form says right away if your ZIP is outside the area.
- We check the license first. Requests go only to contractors whose CSLB C-20 license we have matched on the state register. If none covers your ZIP yet, we email you and say so.
- Compare what comes back. Line the written quote up against the published ranges and the quote checklist.
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